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One of the major marvels of the city, akin in its awe inspiring majesty to Narbondel slowly marking time in the center of the city, the castle of Xorlarrin was a sight to behold. Although the family that occupied it were only fifth in the Menzoberranyr hierarchy, you would be challenged to find any other locale in all the Underdark (or the world above for that matter) that boasted such magnificence. The walls were striped in permanent and ever shifting faerie fire, with floating battlements set atop its high walls. It could be argued that the entire palace was a gigantic magical artifact in that marvels abound and magic was built into the most mundane of attributes both functional and decorative.[citation needed]

The fortress loomed into the sky dwarfing the buildings around it, and was composed of a deceptive profile. The deceptively narrow facade terminated at a modest 55m (60 yards). Once a corner was rounded, however, the lateral faces of the citadel stretched for hundreds and hundreds of yards, stretching back to blend with the gloom and becoming lost to sight. This gave the citadel a top-down view of an exaggeratedly thin rectangle. Legend held that this bizarre architecture was purposefully planned in order to facilitate some eldritch power forgotten or lost by the current[as of when?] inhabitants.[citation needed]

The house was famous for its wizards, even giving the males status near to the females,[12] meaning they were one of the few groups that did not fit the paradigm of drow males in Menzoberranzan.[13]Matron Mother Zeerith would even listen to the men, as she relied more on advisors than other matriarchs.[14] The wizards had more arcane power than any other house, and those who had no skill would not survive childhood.[6] Such talentless males were used as sacrifices.[14] In 1361 DR, there were seven masters of Sorcere from House Xorlarrin.[15]

After the Spellplague, magic users of House Xorlarrin were known as "spellspinners" and utilized a different form of magic from those who practiced before the Spellplague.[16]

By the late 15th century DR, Xorlarrin had reached the position of third house of Menzoberranzan.[6] House Xorlarrin was a strong supporter of Lolth's plan to create a Demon Weave.[6] Many lesser wizards joined the Council of Spiders.[12] The house itself was inclined to support the Council's cause, even at the cost of civil war.[18]

In 1484 DR, House Xorlarrin was finally permitted to leave Menzoberranzan and form a new city in Gauntlgrym called Q'Xorlarrin, where they produced fine weapons at the Forge.[1] They were obligated to trade with and pay tribute to Menzoberranzan and serve in House Baenre's army is called upon.[21] In light of the house's departure, Quenthel Baenre restored House Do'Urden with a number of drow nobles (and later non-drow) and made it a member of the Ruling Council.[22]

House wizard and patron.[31][3] He appeared very old, but that was rumored to be due to a magical experiment gone wrong.[32] During the Spellplague, he was driven insane and accidentally killed himself with a delayed-blast fireball.[16]